child birth?

Question

what is it like? how do u start preparing? what exactly happens?
the person with the best detail but informative is gauranteed 5 stars! : )

erm, i aint pregers, i just want to know more about it b4 i ever do, or for the future l8r in quite many years time. yet,
i jus dknow much.

wow! libby, thats some detailed info thanx! and yikes! : /

i agree with rob, yeah! why dont more people adopt. i aint gong through child birth, not worth it on my figure.

Answer 1

The birth starts with the onset of labour, which is usually marked by the beginning of regular uterine contractions. These are felt as tightenings either in the back or across the top of the womb. Sometimes the baby's waters break before the beginning of the contractions or, more commonly, once labour is under way.
A mucous show is often passed through the vagina at the beginning of labour, which may have streaks of blood in it. Some women pass the show days before going into labour, other women do not pass a show at all, so it is not a reliable sign of labour.

During a natural birth, the muscles in the uterus (womb) contract and it's this contraction that's felt as labour pains. Labour is a painful experience, but breathing techniques learned in antenatal classes can make early labour less stressful.

The contractions cause the baby's head to be pressed down through the pelvis and against the inside of the cervix. This causes the cervix to stretch open (dilate) allowing the baby's head to pass through (descend) into the vagina and onwards into the outside world.

The birth begins when labour contractions start becoming frequent, intense and of sufficient duration to cause the cervix to open. At the beginning of labour, you will usually be examined externally (abdominal examination), to see how the baby is lying and to be certain that the baby is coming head first.

When labour starts, the cervix gets shorter (a process called effacement) and opens (dilates). The cervix is fully dilated when it has opened 10cm. During labour, it's important you don't start pushing before you are fully dilated, because there will be a danger of tearing the cervix.
Once your cervix has fully dilated, the first stage of labour is completed and the second stage is about to begin. The first stage generally lasts up to 12 hours in a first labour and seven hours in subsequent deliveries, but each labour is different.
The second stage starts when your cervix is completely open (10cm). Usually, there is a sensation of fullness in your vagina or bowel and you wish to push.

Most women will find that the labour pains in the second stage of labour are more bearable, because you can now actively help yourself by pushing.

The second stage of labour ends with the delivery of the baby. It usually lasts for 45 minutes to two hours in a first labour and 15 to 45 minutes in subsequent deliveries.
During this stage the afterbirth (placenta) is delivered. The placenta is usually delivered within 5 to 15 minutes after the birth of the baby.

The last stage of birth is a co-operation between yourself and the midwife, although little effort is required to deliver the placenta.

After your baby's born, it's routine that you will be given an injection to stimulate the uterus to contract, which helps delivery of the placenta.

Making the uterus contract in this way reduces the risk of heavy bleeding during delivery of the placenta (post-partum haemorrhage).

Answer 2

Well different people have different experience so it's a difficult question to answer. You can prepare by being as healthy and well rested as you can. Eat well, do gentle exercises. Antinatal classes should help.

Get as much information as you can before hand about pain relieve and the various options so you know what you want to do. Make sure your partner knows your wishes and write them down just in case. Don't let the hospital or doctors bully you into doing what they want just to make thing easy for them.

What happens, in a normal birth your womb starts to contract and literally pushes the baby out. Ignore what you see on TV, laying on your back is about the worst position you can adopt to give birth. During labour stand or walk about as much as you can without tiring yourself out. Crouching is good too with support, your partner will be useful here.

It feels a bit like pooping a grapefruit. Sorry that is not a very elegant image but it's the closest I can come up with. It's a bit uncomfortable but not so bad as all that.

But nothing nothing nothing I can say will explain to you the moment of euphoria when you realise what you've done. OK it may not be immediately, especially if you are very tired, but you will look at that baby in your arms and think, "I've made a person". It's an incredible feeling, the best in the world, and you know what else, it never really goes away. My girls are nearly 19 and nearly 16 now and I still feel like that when I look at them.

Answer 3

Stars are not necessary. Child birth is horribly painful and you will never forget it for the rest of your life. There are women who will say "oh it's the most beautiful experience in the world". Trust me they are lying and giving first time expectant mothers the wrong idea. If you are not on pain relief drugs you will suffer excruciating pain and the closer to the birth the more intense the agony. Contractions hurt!!! No hurt doesn't describe it well enough. After my first child it took me 8 years before I felt I could handle that kind of searing pain again and I am a strong woman. And child birth is just the beginning!!

Answer 4

That's Cool! Congratulations :) Child Of Mine - Carole King Eyes Of A Child - The Moody Blues

Answer 5

You see if there are any childbirth classes that you could attend. Likely that your doc would have literature to read, too.

I can tell you that it's certainly a great deal of work. That's why it's called "labour", I suppose. But, if you are informed b4, and know what to expect, it's less frightening. Also, when baby is born, you soon forget the pain.

You can do some on line research, too.

kiwi

Answer 6

I know this isn't the most informative answer, but the best way to prepare for labour is to keep calm, relaxed and breathe deeply.
If you feel like your body is retching with the most agonizing period pains you have ever had - that will be a contraction - if the time between them gets shorter and shorter and the pain gets stronger each time - you are likely in labour. Concentrate on your breathing. Think about yourself - Your baby knows what to do and will do what it has to do so don't worry about your baby.
When it comes to pushing, you will know what to do - you will feel like you REALLY want to have a poo - a big one, and when you squeeze to poo, the baby will come out the front end instead of the poo coming out the back (although that might happen too but it's nothing to be embarrased about).

It's nothing to be afraid about - MILLIONS of women do it every day. It is different for every single one of them. Just breathe, relax and let nature take it's course.

Answer 7

the only preparation is Lamaze class. show you how to breath a little but it can be very painful. I was in labor from 4 in the morning tell 3p.m next day. I had such a hard labor because i didn't exercises I laid around, but I was on a very strict diet because i had gallstones in my gallbladder so sometimes it felt like i had no energy. that was my experience. walk allot and drink and eat properly it Will help during your labor if you walk. walking helps the water brake and the cervix has to dilate this process is where the most pain is and pushing the baby out. I can not tell much because every women's body is different.

Answer 8

The best information you can get about childbirth is from a book called " What to expect when you are expecting". I have been pregnant three times and this book is not only a comfort but is extremely helpful as you go through the phases of pregnancy. I would strongly recommend this book to any woman that is pregnant whether it be your first or not. Don't be frightened by what other women say about childbirth, everybody is different. Take it as it comes.

Answer 9

Ithink it was the most painful but somehow also ecstatic experience I ever had,even better than sex and thats great too,and to have a wee bundle at the end WOW wish I could have had ten morebut only got the chance to have 2

Answer 10

pgo to anti-natal classes and learn something breathing techniques if possinble. make sure you draw up a birth plan..your midwife will help you with this, it includes things like what pain relief you would like, who is to be with you, if your partner wants to cut the cord etc.
unfortunately thats all the preparing you can do as whatever you expect it wioll be different, there is no simillar experience. its tiring, painful and damn hard work, but with good pain relief and partner support we cope..and its very worth it when you look into that little bundles eyes for the first time.